Things I Wish I’d Known Before Trying Rope Bondage

We might not be a fan of the series, but Fifty Shades has helped to bring the world of BDSM into the spotlight. It is becoming more mainstream, though there are many vanilla people who are eager to try it out for themselves. One of the places people like to start is with rope bondage.

As the name suggests, rope bondage is where one of your is bound up using rope. It might sound simple in theory, but it is a lot more complicated when you actually get into the bedroom. If you are hoping to try it for yourself, don’t just dive in. There are some things you really need to know.

Here on the Escort Scotland blog, I take you through some of the things I wish I’d known before trying rope bondage, both as the rope bunny and as the rigger.

Do your research!

You might think “I know exactly how to tie a knot in a rope” and think that this is all of the information you need. You may even decide that the old length of rope you have tucked away somewhere will do for your first excursion into rope bondage. But it won’t.

The first thing you need to do is research exactly what you are doing, starting with the knots. The two common problems experienced by those first starting out who haven’t thought it through tends to be that the knot is too loose or it is too tight. Too loose means that they are going to be able to slip out of it. This defeats the purpose of tying them up in the first place. Too tight means that you are going to be restricting blood flow and causing them pain. Pain can be part of it but often not to this extent.

Make sure you take the time to try the knots out for yourself before you go tying your partner up. It’ll help you in the moment, as you won’t have to think as much about it. It also means you have that familiarity with the rope and knot so that you can release them.

You should also think carefully about the type of rope you use. Needless to say, don’t use any old length of rope you have lying around. This was my experience the first time I was a rope bunny. I had no idea what to really expect. The rope cut into me and ended up leaving me with deep burns and cuts around my wrists and ankles, because it wasn’t designed for that!

Plenty of sex shops, both online and on the high street, have rope for you to buy. Bondage rope tends to be a lot softer than typical rope. It feels great on the skin but is still strong. This means it is less likely to damage your partner when they are tied up.

Position your partner with care

My first time as the rigger was interesting. I’d been a rope bunny so I thought I knew what to expect. I had my own ideas about the right way to tie a knot and I’d done some research into the proper knots to use, as well as a quick release.

One thing I neglected to think about was the position of my partner, such as where their hands or legs were. They had their first experience with me, and since mine hadn’t gone so well, I was eager to make theirs go smoothly.

And everything seemed to… except I hadn’t properly thought about the way that they were positioned. It looked good to me at the time. They said it felt good. Afterwards they were saying that their arms had felt really uncomfortable for being tied as tightly as they were for so long.

From this I learned a simple trick, and that is to get your partner to tense up as you are tying them for the first few times. Once they are tied up, they can then relax. Relaxing gives them a tiny bit more slack between their skin and the rope, which can help to make them comfortable.

As you both become more experienced with rope bondage you might not need to use this trick at all, but it is especially useful when starting out. It gives them a tiny bit of leeway to help them settle into it and feel as though they aren’t quite so trapped.

Get the hang of quick release

Over time, your rope bondage might get more complicated. However, it is always a good idea to make sure you have a quick way out. I have learned this through the need to use it. A partner of mine is claustrophobic. Something about the scenario we were playing out sent them into a bit of a panic. The quick release of the rope gave them the freedom we needed, and then I started with aftercare to ensure they were alright.

A quick release is incredibly useful, whether your partner finds they need to use it or they simply need to take a break. It is a point on the rope where, if you tug it, the entire knot will come undone. This isn’t always possible with more complicated knots, but it is useful for those starting out to know about.

If that fails, have some scissors or a knife to hand. Make sure there is a point on the rope you can easily access in order to free them. The chances are that you won’t need to use it. It is still good to have a plan just in case. It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Why we love rope bondage

Whether you want to be a rigger or you are hoping to become a rope bunny, rope bondage is appealing. There is something sexy and kinky about being restricted in such a way. We want to give body over to someone else to control. We also want to be the one in control.

It shows a great deal of trust between you and your partner, which is why there are some things that you should know first. Don’t just dive on in and expect things to work out. Prepare, plan, and talk to your partner about it. This will make sure things go smoothly.

Is there anything you wish you’d know when you first started out with rope bondage? If so, you can share it with us. Tell us all about it in the comments below. You can tell us your top tips and advice for riggers and rope bunnies alike.

Lara Mills is a writer who has four years of sex industry expertise behind her. Since she entered the adult industry, she has worked on the Escort Advertising forums, before moving into her current role three years ago.

Since then she has gained a fine reputation with her blogs on sex advice, sexual health and amusing news stories from around the globe. She is also a campaigner for the rights of sex workers from all over the world.

In her spare time, Lara keeps herself active by going running, and is something of a film buff. She also loves to go travelling.